The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-24
ELECTRIC LIGHT CARBONS.
A Pool Whose Operations Will Destroy the
Business of the Western Manufacturers.

NEW YORK, June 23.-The Times this morn
ing says: meeting was held in this city yester
day afternoon which is of direct importance to
all electric light interests The causes which
led to it have been developing for many months.
The electric light industry. SO far arc lights
are concerned, depends directly upon ''carbons."
The consumption of these carbons by the
various companies is at present in tho
neighborhood of 60,0O0000 per year. The
market has been supplied by two firms in Pitts
burg, three four in Cleveland, and two in St.
Louis. These companies. two months ago.
formed a combination, and the combina-
ton took charge of all the factories.
The price of carbons suddenly and with
out warning raised from $40 to $12 per thousand
to $40 and $50. 1t was known that only one raw
material good for much in making electric
light carbons- This is the coke from petroleum
and naphtha manufacturing Consequently the
petroleum coke product to be the key
to the situation The electric light
The proposition was TO take the entire
petroleum coke product of the Standard Oil
Company and manufacture carbons for them-
selves Everybody was found to be in favor of
the movement. One company subscribed for
1000, 900 carbons per month; others subscribed
for from 200, 900 to 500, 900. The subscriptions
were all upon the basis of the old rates. the cost
of the larger size not to exceed $15 and the
smaller in proportion. A new committee was
appointed to confer with tho Standard Oil Com
pany and the conference was held yesterday.
The companys figure for its entire coke product,
20. 600 tons per year, was set at So per ton or
$l60, 900 per anuum. The electric light eyndl-
cate considered the offer. and will accept it as
the various parties interested in their
syndicate signify their assent. This will
effectualy destroy the business OF the Western
companies It will cut off their supply of
material and leave them way of their
dilemma, since. while the electric light carbon
syndicate will probably not more than
third of the coke product they will control il all.
The new carbon factory is to be in this CITY,
PITTsBURG. June 23.-In speaking of the dis
patch from New York. in which it is reported
that a syndicate has been formed to control the
product of petroleum coke and to manufacture
carbon points at nominal figures for electric
light companies who are members, Secretary
McGonngle, of the Allegheny Light Company,
said this afternoon: For several weeks this
question has been agitated by people very close
to the Standard Oil Company. Their scheme is
to get the inside on the cost of petroleum coke
and then make carbons for the members and
charge cost price. There five six
the subject of taking hand. but we have other
contracts. At that time l was not given to
understand that any attempt would be made to
control the carbon point market. and think the
report that all the petroleum coke will be pur
chased is without foundation"
Cleveland manufacturers discredit the story
of big combination, and expires the opinion
that it is bluff" intended to advance prices.